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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1976 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos.Hl lis 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 25, 1976 Reel 46, Side One, Tract Two, Count 15 to BOO. Chairman Carlin called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Los Altos Hills, California. A. ROLL CALL: Chairman: Judith Carlco Commissioners: Keith Brown, Lucy Hillestad, William Perkins David Proft, and Kenneth Young. Also Present: A. D. Russell, City Engineer; K. R. Pastrof, Town Planner; and D. Pennington, Secretary. Absent: Commissioner: T. Schick B. CONSENT CALENDAR At the request of Commissioner Perkins, the sole item on the Consent -- Calendar, the approval of the minutes of January 28, 1976, February 11, 1976, and February 14, 1976, was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 1976 Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Commissioner Brown, that the minutes of the meeting of January 28, 1976 be approved as written. The motion carried unanl musty. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14 1976 Commissioner Proft moved, seconded by Caomissmeloner Hillestad, that the minutes of the meting of February 11, 1976, be approved as written. The motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14. 1976 Corrections to the minutes of the meeting of February 14, 1976 were made as follows: Page 1, Third Paragraph, beginning of third line should read: '- . . . the Introspection Night . . Page 2, Third Paragraph, middle of fourth line should read: " , . . Public Works Committee . . . MOTION: Canmissloner Brown moved, seconded by Commissioner Proft that the minutes of the meeting of February 14, 1976 be approved as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Hl l tested commented that all three sets of minutes were very [ good. fir' C. STUDY SESSION: PUBLIC FACILITIES ZONING - Revised Draft Ordinance Chairman Carlin noted that the Council had asked the City Attorney to pro- vide the Commission with a written report on exactly what changes were made In the proposed ordinance. When the report wasn't received by February 9, Chairman Carl cc, called the City Manager. In order to avoid any misinter- pretations, he suggested she call Mr. Glllio direct, which she did. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 25, 1936 PUBLIC FACILITIES ZONING - Continued Mr. Gllllo told Chairman Carico the words In parenthesis In Section 5 were new, as was all of Section E, and that those two changes were made to strengthen the proposed ordinance. She asked him to submit that In writing to the Com- mission, or to come to this meeting. He told her that both requests were Impossible. Commissioner Brown suggested that the Planning Commission press Mr. GI I Ito for his written report so that It can forward the Information to the Council for their benefit as well as the Planning Commission's own. He noted that the Commission had previously asked the City Attorney to provide It with a list of the advantages and disadvantages of this ordinance, and he had not done so. Perhaps they should ask Mr. Gllllo again for this data. Then, furnished with all the necessary Information, they could make a recommendation to the Council. Chairman Carico was very disturbed that the Planning Commissioners had not been given the requested report. She mentioned that in August 1975 she wrote to Mr. GI IIto regarding the Open Space Report. When he didn't respond, she sent two follow-up letters. He didn't reply to those either. She didn't know what anyone could do to get him to cooperate and assist them. She really felt they had been let down in this Instance. Commissioner Brown suggested that If there were no response from the City Attorney In two weeks, that the Planning Commission so note In Its recommendatior to the Council, and have the matter specifically placed before the Council. Commissioner Proft thought that for something as important as a new zoning ordinance, the Planning Commission should at least have someone from the City Attorney's office present to answer questions. He thought It abominable that the Planning Commission had not gotten support from the Attorney on this item. Chairman Carico stated she had asked the City Attorney many times to be at their meetings. She had particularly wanted him present when Three Forks Lane development was discussed, and had asked that he attend the first meeting the Commisslon had on this proposed ordinance, but he refused to do so. Commissloner Young commented that the proposed ordinance's requirement for an acre for a public utilities substation was an overkill. Mr. Russell advised that the Municipal Code states that public utilities substations do not have to have an area of one acre or more. Commissioner Perkins pointed out that under this proposed ordinance the United States Government could put the Washington Monument on their land, and that the County of Santa Clara could do the same thing. But the school districts could not use land for non -classroom facilities unless there were classrooms on the same land. Clearly, this was illegal discrimination against an agency. He added that Mr. Gllllo's absence from this meeting, whatever the reason, was unfortunate. However, he thought this proposed ordinance could be judged by the Commissioners without Mr. Gillio's aid. He thought the disadvantages were monstrous, and wondered if there were any advantages. Chairman Carico stated that Mr. Gllllo told her the only advantage of this ordinance Is that It would slow dawn the school district from closing the classrooms. Comr missioner Hillestad pointed out the decist ons to close certain schools in the Ilaw Town had already been made, so whether this ordinance would have any affect on those closures was doubtful. - 2 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 25, 1976 PUBLIC FACILITY ZONING - Continued Commissl oner Young commented that as far as the taxpayers of this Town are 4 f property. concerned, the school The Towndileviests levy 350 perabout $1100.$S.50 The on ly$af affect theer $100 of essed prop proposed P P rtw• ordinance will have is to slow down the return of the tax dollars to the agency which spent them. Thus, it will create a greater hardship on the taxpayers of this Town than any other method he could see. The only honest and fair way for the school district to handle the surplus school sites Is to sell them and put the money back where it belongs --In the taxpayers' pocket, either directly or Indirectly. Any attempt at preventing them from selling their land at market value he thought was a travesty of whatever this country was set up to be. Chairman Carlco recognized Mildred Gallo, 25270 La Lanne Court. Mrs. Gallo asked why the Commission was considering the proposed ordinance since her friend, Carol Elmberg, who initiated the Idea, no longer believed public facility zoning would prevent the closure of -the schools. Chairman Carica replied that the Council had asked them to make a recommendation. Mrs. Gallo t stated It would be nice to save the schools, bunot at the expense of the Town's zoning. Commissl Doer Perkins noted that the Town has been declared an agricultural preserve. If the draft ordinance is in any way Incompatible with the W1111am- son Act, the Town would create a terrible situation by adopting it. Staff was asked to call this to the attention of the City Attorney. The Commissioners decided it would not postpone making their recommendation. 4W Those present unanimously approved of the follow Ing: The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council NOT adopt the revised Public Facilities Draft Ordinance for the following reasons: 1. It would seriously erode and Impair the Town's present zoning ordinances. (Contributed by Commissioner Hillestad) 2. Any hypothetical advantages to be accrued therefrom are vastly outweighed by the obvious disadvantages that will result. (Contributed by Commissioner Perkins) 3. It does little or nothing more than what the Municipal Code currently provides. (Contributed by Commissioner Brown) 4. By prohibiting residential zoning, It Is in direct conflict with the Town's primary zoning. (Contributed by Chairman Carico 5• The Commission questions the compatibility and conflict with the Williamson Act of this proposed Public Facilities zoning. (Contributed by Commissioner Perkins) 6. The proposed ordinance, in appearing to discriminate against the school districts, could conceivably be setting a precedent towards discriminatory legislation against private Individuals. ( (Contributed by Commissioner Young) - 3 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 25, 1976 C. STUDY SESSION: OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE REPORT Chairman Carl co advised that the Chairman of the Open Space Committee, Car missloner Schick, had asked her to explain that the Committee's Report Is a rough draft which all members of the Committee had seen. Since they had no further corrections of It, Commissioner Schick wished to submit It to the entire Planning Commission for consideration. MOTION Commissioner Young moved, seconded by Commissioner Hl l tested, that the Com- mission accept the Open Space Committee Report and agenda It for discussion at a later date. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Perkins asked if the Committee got Input from the group, led by Charles McCandless, who Inventoried open space. Commissl oner Proft, a member of the Committee, replied that they had been told this Information was not available, that It had been lost. Commissioner Perkins commented that the booklet entitled "Open Space In Los Altos Hills" might be helpful. It was partly Inventory but mostly philosophy. He would see If he could find a copy of it. Commissioner Perkins mentioned that when Spangle and Associates were Involved In the Town's planning considerations, they suggested the Town's open space plan be modeled after the me they created for Portola Valley. He related that at the Introspection Night of 1970, the question of open space was brought up and discussed at some length. A number of people wanted open space 4 for this community, an equal number did not. He observed that In 1970 there were limited methods for acquiring open space, but that had changed somewhat. Comnissloner Perkins advised that the Town had adopted a resolution which said that the Town did not Intend to have a road system that was going to provide vehicular throughness. The road system was to be only what was adequate for safety and access. Commissioner Proft stated the Committee was somewhat frustrated In Its efforts because It could find no open space plan for the Town, and It knew none of this history. He thought the Committee had not addressed Itself to open space per se because their charge was the Palo Alto school site. Chairman Cartoo advised that the Mayor had asked the Committee to Include open space In general In Its deliberations. She thought It would be Interesting to have the Committee's final report on the Introspection Night agenda. D. NEW BUSINESS: SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATION Chairman Carico announced that she had Invited Professor Don Aitken, of San Jose State University, to make a presentation on Solar Energy at the Commission's meeting on March 10. He had given a very Interesting and Informative talk on this topic at the Santa Clara County Policy Planning Commission meeting last month. Chairman Carl co hoped to publicize this. D. NEW BUSINESS: BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Chairman Carl co placed Budget Discussions on the agenda for March 10. The Commissioners agreed that the more rapidly they approached the topic the better. Chal rman Carlco noted that each Commissioner had been given the Planning Depart- ment expenditures for this fiscal year. Commissioner Hillestad asked that the Commissioners be given a copy of the 1975-76 budget.before the March 10 meeting. She asked Mr. Russell If he had obtained the costs for the wall maps display leaves. Mr. Russell did not have the exact costs but expected It to be at least $500. He advised that in order to hang the leaves In the Chambers, the door by the window with the Town seal would have to be closed off. - 4 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 25, 1976 BUDGET DISCUSSION - Continued Commissioner Proft suggested compiling a list of what will be facing the Commission In the coming fiscal year, determine the costs of each project, and set priorities. This list could then be forwarded to the Council along with their request for appropriation. It was, of course, the Council's prerogative to change the order of priorities or eliminate projects or even add to the list. Just as it was the Planning Commission's job to tell the Council what the priorities were, It was the onus of the Council to determine If there was enough money to cover the cost of the projects. Chairman Carl co stated the Commission had submitted a list of priorities last year which the Council rejected. Commissioner Perkins suggested the Commission also list what cannot be accomplished with their present resources. Mr. Russell stated that there was a $4,000 appropriation in the 1974-75 Budget for the General Plan which was unspent. He suggested that they plan to spend that money before the end of this fiscal year. Mr. Pastrof believed that with the end of the moratorium on subdivisions, the Staff would be flooded with applications. Yet to be drafted are new building site approval and site development ordinances. There Is also the on-going problem of non conforming uses. Commissioner Young pointed out that meant the Staff is one hundred percent occupied for the next six months to a year. He didn't think the Planning Com- mission as It Is presently constituted has fheLexporflse.to'•do many of'the things that were necessary, and the Staff does not have the time. He proposed that the budget include funds to obtain the services of an independent expert In town layout design to develop an overall plan of street layout which would reflect the philosophy of the Town, and to create guidelines for the develop- ment of the Town through to Its ultimate completion. Thus developers would know what was expected of them, and a piecemeal, lot by lot development of the Town would be avoided. Mr. Russell thought It would be very costly and that unless It were done on a very professional basis, both in planning and engineering, he would not support it. He commented that there wasn't much terrain- left In the Town to be developed and that usually the outside expert doesn't have sufficient knowledge about a tarn to make a plan, and he has to rely on the staff to provide that Information. Mr. Russell thought the real problem was In getting people to cooperate and agree on a way to develop their lands jointly. Commissioner Hillestad suggested developing a criteria for looking at parcels presented for subdivision. Although Chal^man Carlco wantedto have the best professional help, as suggeste by Commissioner Young, ' : she hesitated to encourage the Idea because she did not think the Council would approve of the expense. The Council might auth- orize part time professional help, however, she said. It seemed to Commissioner Brown that the Town could develop guidelines with the facilities it has now. He thought if the Planning Commission and the Staff work together, It could be done inhouse for the most part. There might be a L facet or two where they might want to hire an outside expert. He would hate to 4w consider a large expense for a broad study by an outside consultant until when and If they knew precisely what was wanted and that it couldn't be done by the Commissioners themselves. - 5 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 25, 1976 BUDGET DISCUSSION - Continued Chairman Carico asked that the Commissioners submit a list of what each thinks Is Important for the Commissi on to accomplish next year by the next meeting. The Staff will present their program for next year then, giving exactly what they intend to do and what percent of their time it will require. That will then be stacked up against what the Commissioners feel they would like to see, and what the resources are. E. CURRENT BUSINESS: INTROSPECTION NIGHT Mr. Russell had prepared a breakdown of the cost of preparing the maps and data listed In the minutes of February 14, 1976. This was placed on the March 10 agenda for study and discussion. Introspection Night Itself was agended for May 12, 1976. Mr. Russell shoved the Commission a contour map of the Town, scaled one Inch equals 400 feet. He suggested using three such maps to show the data the Commission wanted presented at Introspection Night, rather than cluttering up one map. One Map would show land that is developed, land left to be developed, and open space; another the schools and churches; and the third the water and sewer districts. If the dedicated and recorded pathway easements could be determined, those could be shown on a one Inch equals 200 feet scale map of each quarter of the Town which the Staff had. Bar graphs will be used to show some other data --tor Instance, the total number of homes built each year. F. ADJOURNMENT: 10:00 p.m. There being no further business, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Donna Pennington Secretary m Chal rman Carico announced that a short course on Land Use would be held in San Francisco on May 14. Any Commissioner who wanted to attend, should let her 4 know. F. ADJOURNMENT: 10:00 p.m. There being no further business, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the meeting be adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Donna Pennington Secretary m